ABSTRACT
The classification of rhinitis used in reviews and in consensus guidelines includes a subgroup of nonallergic rhinitis called ‘‘hormonal rhinitis’’ (1-3). Hypothyroidism and acromegaly are mentioned, but there are very few modern studies published on the subject, even though there is a clinical impression that such conditions do exist. Exclusively female causes of nasal symptoms of this ‘‘hormonal’’ type are the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. These two phenomena have been more studied in recent years. Nasal mucosal swelling can be caused by increased vascular pooling of blood due to a decrease in the alpha-adrenergic tonus to the venous sinusoids or by edema due to leakage of plasma from the vascular bed into the stroma. No hormone has been shown to activate any of these pathways in the nasal mucosa, although it could be a plausible mode of action.
